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AIDS conference opens in Melbourne

The opening ceremony for the 20th International AIDS Conference took place in Melbourne on Sunday, but rather than it be a celebration, the program served as a memorial to the colleagues missing from the week-long event.

Around 12,000 delegates from about 200 countries gathered at the Melbourne Convention Centre for the official opening, which included a minute's silence to remember those who died when MH17 was shot down.

"It's a really important time for what we think everyone needs, which is a space to grieve and to respect the six members of our community that died on MH17," conference co-chair and infectious diseases physician, Professor Sharon Lewin, said ahead of the ceremony.

The International Aids Society president, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, dedicated the conference to those who were killed and a letter of condolence and support was read out by the Dutch ambassador for HIV/Aids, Lambert Grijns.

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The International Aids Society (IAS) confirmed on Saturday the names of those killed on their way to Australia. They include the former IAS president and professor of medicine, Joep Lange; his partner and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development public health official, Jacqueline van Tongeren; Aids lobbyists, Pim de Kuijer and Martine de Schutter; director of support at the Female Health Company, Lucie van Mens; and World Health Organisation media coordinator, Glenn Thomas.

Prof Lewin said those killed were due to play key roles in the conference, either through sharing their stories or presenting their research.

But despite the mood of the conference being one of reflection and solemnity, Prof Lewin hopes the delegates will be able to focus on their work in the coming days, and fight on for a cure in memory of their colleagues.

"Those six people would really want that to happen, so we're hoping that on Monday we will be able to focus on why we are here."

Chris Beyrer, who will take over the presidency of the IAS at the end of the global conference, said it had been a long and emotional 48 hours.

"But we are ready and determined to make this conference the huge success it deserves to be," he said ahead of the opening ceremony.

"I have a special reason for feeling a connection with those on MH17," he said at a press conference before the opening ceremony.

"I was at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands just three days before the departure of that plane and I took a different route home.

"But thinking on them, that efficient place, and the happiness that existed in the Netherlands, because of the wonderful performance of the World Cup team, thinking of the terrible suffering that has been inflicted on them...

"Thinking of the chance that exists in all our lives, looking at the names, those friendly Netherlands names that were winging their way to our conference, thinking of their families is very painful, and it's painful for all of us."

A candlelight vigil will be held on Tuesday night at Melbourne's Federation Square. It will serve as a remembrance for those on MH17, as well as acknowledging those who have died as a result of HIV and AIDS.